Project Topics for ND and HND Chemical Engineering Students

Some final year students in Chemical Engineering pick their project topics just to tick a box. But ask any graduate who has attended an interview or applied for scholarships—they’ll tell you that a smartly chosen project topic can boost your profile far more than any grade on your result slip.

Now here’s where it gets interesting. Chemical Engineering covers everything from fuel production to water treatment, and even cosmetics. So if you think you’re stuck with only topics like “distillation” or “heat exchangers,” you’re missing out on dozens of fresh, creative ideas that can make your project stand out.

This post brings you a carefully sorted list of practical, affordable, and research-worthy project topics for both ND and HND Chemical Engineering students in Nigeria and beyond. Whether you’re aiming for lab experiments, industry-focused solutions, or theoretical simulations, there’s something here that can earn you praise—and possibly job opportunities too.

Let’s break it down into categories to help you find the right match for your interests and goals.

Process Engineering and Plant Design Project Topics

Projects in this area focus on designing systems and processes used in chemical production.

1. Design and Fabrication of a Mini Distillation Column

Ideal for ND students, this project allows you to show how mixtures like ethanol and water can be separated efficiently.

2. Development of a Local Palm Oil Refinery Prototype

This project focuses on creating a small-scale system to refine crude palm oil, a staple in Nigeria’s agro-processing industry.

3. Design of a Small-Scale Biodiesel Production Plant

Use vegetable oil or animal fats as feedstock to develop a mini-plant that produces biodiesel, including reaction kinetics and purification.

4. Fabrication of a Simple Evaporator System

This topic is great for students who want hands-on fabrication combined with mass and energy balance calculations.

5. Process Design for a Soap Production Line

This includes selecting raw materials, designing mixing tanks, and setting reaction time parameters for soap production at small scale.

Environmental and Waste Management Project Topics

If you’re interested in solving real-world problems with sustainability in mind, these project ideas are worth considering.

6. Treatment of Industrial Wastewater Using Activated Carbon

You can focus on textile or brewery wastewater and test how activated carbon from coconut shells or corn cobs removes contaminants.

7. Comparative Study of Biodegradable and Non-Biodegradable Waste Treatment

This project focuses on analyzing the decomposition rate and environmental impact of waste types using natural catalysts.

8. Development of a Low-Cost Air Pollution Monitoring System

Use sensors to monitor sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter levels in a selected area.

9. Design of a Solid Waste Composting System for Urban Areas

Explore how food and organic waste from homes or markets can be turned into compost with minimal energy input.

10. Conversion of Agricultural Waste to Bioethanol

Use materials like cassava peels or corn stalks to produce ethanol through fermentation and distillation processes.

Reaction Engineering and Catalysis

This group of topics focuses on how chemical reactions behave and how to improve them.

11. Kinetic Study of Transesterification Reaction for Biodiesel Production

Measure how temperature, pressure, and catalysts affect the conversion rate of oil to biodiesel.

12. Development of a Catalytic Converter Using Local Materials

Design a catalyst from materials like kaolin or bentonite clay for converting harmful gases in car exhausts.

13. Optimization of Reaction Conditions in Batch Reactors

Run a series of controlled experiments to determine the best time and temperature for a specific chemical reaction.

14. Evaluation of Catalysts in Cracking of Crude Oil Fractions

Compare the performance of different catalysts for the cracking of heavy oil fractions.

15. Synthesis of Zeolite Catalyst from Rice Husk Ash

Turn waste into wealth by creating a useful catalyst from common agricultural byproducts.

Polymer and Material Science Project Topics

Chemical engineering also covers materials used in plastics, paints, coatings, and packaging.

16. Formulation of Paint from Local Pigments

Use natural dyes and locally sourced raw materials to create eco-friendly paint.

17. Production and Characterization of Biodegradable Plastic from Cassava Starch

Investigate how cassava starch, glycerol, and other additives can be used to make biodegradable packaging.

18. Development of Water-Based Adhesives

Compare different natural resins to formulate adhesives and test their performance on wood and paper surfaces.

19. Mechanical Properties of Composite Materials from Sawdust and Recycled Plastic

Create and test composite materials for building and packaging applications.

20. Formulation and Testing of Grease Lubricants from Vegetable Oil

This project evaluates the potential of non-mineral oil sources for making high-performance lubricants.

Energy and Fuel Technology Project Topics

Energy is at the core of many industries. Here are some projects that focus on fuel generation and efficiency.

21. Comparative Analysis of Petrol and Bioethanol Performance in Generators

Test engine efficiency, emission levels, and power output using both fuels.

22. Design of a Biogas Plant Using Cow Dung

Model and fabricate a mini digester system to generate methane from animal waste.

23. Extraction of Oil from Algae and Its Conversion to Biodiesel

A smart way to look into renewable fuel options and sustainability.

24. Pyrolysis of Plastic Waste to Produce Fuel Oil

Turn waste plastics into usable fuels and analyze the fuel properties using standard tests.

25. Production of Charcoal Briquettes from Agricultural Waste

Design a method to produce smokeless, high-efficiency briquettes from corn husks or sawdust.

Final Year Project Tips for ND and HND Chemical Engineering Students

Now that you’ve seen the list of project topics, here are a few tips to help you succeed from start to finish:

Be Original

Try not to copy and paste past projects. Use them as references but come up with your own scope and angle.

Focus on What You Understand

Pick a topic that aligns with the courses you enjoyed or did well in. That way, you’ll find the project less stressful and more engaging.

Budget Smartly

Check the cost of materials and equipment before selecting a topic. Avoid topics that rely on chemicals or machines that are hard to find or too expensive.

Work With Your Supervisor

Discuss your proposed topic early. Your supervisor might suggest a better version or help narrow your focus to meet departmental standards.

Document Everything

From your research and design process to your failures and final outcome, write it all down. This will help you produce a solid technical report and defend your work confidently.

Wrapping Up

There’s no one-size-fits-all topic for ND or HND Chemical Engineering students. The best project is one you can handle, enjoy working on, and confidently present during defense. From environmental sustainability to fuel technology, from process design to polymer development, there are plenty of areas to dig into—each with the chance to impress both your lecturers and potential employers.

If you need help with writing your project, running experiments, or sourcing materials, feel free to reach out or drop your questions in the comment section. You’re not alone on this journey, and getting started the right way makes all the difference.

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